Silo unloader winch assembly



Feb. 15, 1966 F. E. BUSCHBOM 3,235,229

SILO UNLOADER WINCH ASSEMBLY Original Filed March 30, 1960 2Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

, IN V EN TOR. Fwvof. Bax/130M gwzew Feb. 15, 1966 F. E. BUSCHBOM3,235,229

SILO UNLOADER WINCH ASSEMBLY Original Filed March 30. 1960 2Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. FLOYD E. Bl/JCHBOM ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent 3,235,229 SILO UNLOADER WINCH ASSEMBLY Floyd E. Buschboin, LongLake, Minn, asslgnor to V3117 dale Corporation, Long Lake, Minn acorporation of Minnesota Continuation of application Ser. No. 18,698,Mar. 359,

1960. This application Feb. 27, 1963, Ser. No. 270,483

12 Claims. (til. 254i86) This application is a continuation ofapplication Serial No. 18,698, filed March 30, 1960 and now abandoned,

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in means foreiiectuating the easy elevation and letdown of a silo unloader withinatower silo or the like. Specifically, it relates to a new and usefulwinch assembly and means for attaching it to the wall of the silo,permitting increased ease and versatility of operations.

The winch assembly of this invention is adapted to be positionedreleasably or relatively permanently upon the upright wall of a towersilo (or other appropriate location) and to provide a means whereby theunloader, a

relatively heavy object, may be elevated with varying degree of rapidityand/or exertion, either manually or mechanically. D

It is therefore an object of tlllS invention to prov1de a new and usefulmeans for elevating and letting down of a silo unloader.

A further object of this invention is to pr-ov1de a new and useful winchassembly of improved versatility.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and useful winchassembly which may be releasably secured to the wall of a silo andmaintained in position by the weight of the object being lowered, orwhich may be more permanently secured to the silo wall.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and usefulwinch-assembly whereby a plurality of mechanical advantages are providedfor the operation thereof.

A further object of this invention is the provision of the winchassembly whereby provision is made for manua1 or machine operation ofthe driving mechanism for the winch.

Still a further object of this invention resides in the structuraldetails of the means for attaching it to the silo wall.

Yet another object of this invention resides in the structural detailsof the means providing a plurality of mechanical advantages for its use.

Likewise, the structural details of the means whereby a mechanical drivemeans for the operation of the winch may be utilized is a further objectof this invention.

Other and further objects of the invention are those inherent andapparent in the structure as described, pictured and claimed and willbecome more evident as the description proceeds.

It is the intention of the applicant to fulfill these objects eventhough they are not specifically named.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, this inventionthen comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth indetail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these beingindicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the invention may be employed.

This invention will be described with reference to the drawings in whichcorresponding numerals refer to the same parts, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view of the winch assembly of theinvention positioned upon the exterior of a tower silo wall showingcertain portions in phantom outline;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the structure ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view partly broken away; and

FIGURE 4 is an end elevational view taken opposite the end of the viewof FIGURE 2 and showing alternate attachment of the winch assembly tothe silo wall.

Reference is now made to the drawings. In the drawings is shown afragmentary portion of the curved vertical wall'of a tower silodesignated W1 in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 and W2 in FIGURE 4. This wall may becon ventioually made of a number of materials such as concrete or otherstaves, or blocks, poured concrete or the like or wood or similarmaterials.

In FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, it is illustrated. as comprising a material suchas concrete or the like, which is relatively hard to penetrate and inFIGURE 4 is shown illustrated as wood or other material which is morereadily penetrated.

In the use of staves or the like, a number of annular bands or hoops areconventionally passed around thesilo at varying levels to confine anyoutward expansion of the silo wall, particularly when the silo is full,These are placed as horizontal rings at various levels and a por tion ofone of these hoops or bands is shown and designated as In in FIGURES 1,2 and 3. When the winch is used in cooperation with one of such bandsfor mounting, a pair of mounting bars 11 and 12, each having turned ends13 is used. The turned ends 13 are forced upwardly underneath the hoopl0 and lie against the silo wall W1. The bars are then secured to thewinch assembly 15 through bolts l4inserted into studs located. on thewinch assembly housing. it will thus be seen that in the position ofFIGURES l3, the weight of the unloader on the cable C will draw thewinch in the direction of the arrow U 1in FIGURE 2 and maintain it inposition on the silo we 1.

When the Winch assembly is used as shown in FIG- URE 4 and mounted upona surface which may be penetrated, the bars 11 are reversed so that theturned portions 13 extend outwardly from the slio wall. Then the bars 11and 12 are secured to the wall W2 by screws 16 or other similar means,and spaced from the wall by washers 17 to provide clearance for theheads of bolts 14 as shown in FIGURE 4.

Each bar 11 and 12 is thus provided with four apertures, two for thereception of bolts 14 and two for the reception of screws 16, asdesired.

The winch assembly, generally designated 15, comprises a frame 18 ofgenerally U-shaped configuration. As shown in FIGURES 1, 3 and 4, theframe 18 has a base portion 18A arcu-ately shaped in transversecrosssection and a gear housing 19 having a cover plate 20 emovablysecured thereto by bolts 21 with a gasket (not shown) interposedtherebetween as desired. The housing is provided with an elbow 22threaded thereinto at the bottom to provide a means for introducing ordraining oil which oil provides a bath for the worm 23 and worm gear 24as desired.

The worm 23 is pinned, as shown in FIGURE 2, to a worm shaft 23A, theends of which are situated in bushings in housing 19 serving as bearingsurfaces. A thrust bearing 25 is provided adjacent the rear end of worm23 and a bushing 26 adjacent the front end. The front end 27 of the wormshaft 23A extends outwardly of the housing and is provided with aplurality of keyways as shown in FIGURE 2.

Mating worm gear 24 is positioned upon a spool shaft 28, positioned inbushings in housing I? and frame portion 29, serving as a bearingbracket. Gear 24 is pinned to shaft 28 at one end and the winch spool 36is pinned thereto between housing 19 and portion 29.

The silo unloader cable C is appropriately positioned on the spool asshown in FIGURE 2. Secured to portion 29 is a boss 31 threaded toreceive bolt 32 and support a bracket arm 33 to which is welded orotherwise secured a countershaft bracket 34. It will be appreciated thatby tightening or loosening of bolt 32 the arm 33 may be fixed or swungin an arc respectively with reference to FIGURE 1 to serve as a belttightener.

Bracket 34 serves as a bearing for a countershaft 35 having a washer 35Bwelded to its rear end and in abutment with the machined surface ofbracket 34. (A bushing providing a bearing surface may be used inbracket 34 if desired.) Shaft 35 extends forwardly and is provided withtwo keyways, one of which serves to secure a pulley or sheave 36 to it.She-ave 36 is also provided with a set screW36A to secure it inposition, as shown. Sheave 36 has a belt 37 positioned thereon whichpasses around pulley or sheave 38 of substantially larger diameter andwhich is keyed on shaft 23A and secured in posit-ion by set screw 38A.Positioned on shaft 23A and releasably secured thereto by a key and aset screw 39 is a handle assembly 40 comprising a crank 41 passingthrough aligned apertures in the sleeve 42 having secured thereto bywelding or otherwise a nut 43 in which a winch driving stud 44 ispositioned. Winch driving stud 44 comprises a threaded shank threadedinto nut 43 and bearing against crank 41 to maintain it in position, andan integral nut 45 and an extending rod portion.

It will be seen that the crank 41 may be utilized in n the positionshown to rotate spool 30 to wind the cable C thereon and elevate theunloader or to unwind the cable C to lower the unloader manually. Ifgreater mechanical advantage is desired, the set screw 39 may beloosened, a key inserted in the way 35A on shaft 35 and the winch crankutilized to operate the winch more slowly but with greater mechanicaladvantage, as where a person of lesser strength desires to operate thewinch or greater speed is not desired.

The stud 44 provides means whereby the winch may be operatedmechanically, either with the winch crank 11 in position as shown-orpreferably with it removed. To remove the winch crank 41 the stud 44 isrotated in its threaded engagement with not 43 to draw it outwardly fromthe nut 43 and crank 41 may then be removed. The stud 4-4 may then bethreaded inwardly until nut 45 engages nut 43. The chuck of an electricdrill may then be positioned over the stud 44. Stud 44 is shown to beprovided with a right hand thread so that as the drill rotates in aclockwise position (when viewed from the operators end of the drill)engagement with the stud will serve to continuously maintain the nut 45tightly in the nut 43. As will then be appreciated, the drill may beutilized with the sleeve 42 in the position of FIGURES 1-4 or inposition on the countershaft 35 to elevate the unloader mechanically.

The threading of stud 44 and gears 23 and 24 are so chosen that therotation of the drill to be used (preferably) counterclockwise from theoperators position will continuously maintain stud 44 in tightenedposition and wind cable C on the winch spool 30.

Likewise, as will be appreciated, sheaves 36 and 38 may be interchangedon shafts 35 and 23A to provide more rapid operation either by hand incooperation with crank 41 or mechanically in cooperation with stud 44,when desired.

It will therefore be seen that this invention provides aplura-lity ofmethods of attachment to a silo wall, means providing a plurality ofmechanical advantages which may be utilized for either a manualoperation of the winch or a mechanical operation thereof.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this inventionas hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spiritand scope thereof, The

specific embodiments described are given by way of example only and theinvention islimited only by the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A silo unloader winch assembly comprising a frame, a spool rotatablein said frame, a first sheave, a second sheave of smaller dimension thansaid first sheave, belt means connecting said sheaves, extending shaftmeans for each of said sheaves, means for operatively interconnectingone of said shafts and said spool, and releasable crank means positionedon one of said shafts.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by a mounting bracketmeans secured in adjustable angular position to one end of said winchframe and said bracket means providing a bearing sleeve rotatablysupporting one of said shaft means, said shaft means in said bearingsleeve having flange means at one end precluding Withdrawal of saidshaft means in one direction and one of said sheaves secured to theother end of said shaft means having a flange, said bearing sleeve beingbetween said flange and said sheave.

3. A silo unloader winch assembly having a winch spool comprising afirst shaft having a sheave secured thereto and operatively associatedwith said winch spool, a second shaft having a sheave of smallerdimension than said first sheave secured thereto, a belt connecting saidtwo sheaves, a sleeve, said sleeve positioned on one of said shafts andapertured for the reception of a winch crank therein, a winch crank insaid sleeve aperture, means releasably securing said winch crank thereinincluding an extending member adapted to receive a chuck.

4. The structure of claim 3 further characterized in that said shaftsare of substantially the same dimension to receive said sleeve. I

5. A winch assembly for a silo unloader or the like comprising a frame,a winch drum journalled for rotation therein, reduction gear means forsaid winch drum journalled for rotation in said frame, a first sheave oflarger dimension, a second sheave of smaller dimension, belt meansinterconnecting the two sheaves, extending shaft means for each of saidsheaves rotatably secured to said frame and positioned in substantiallyparallel extension, said shaft means for said sheave of larger dimensioncomprising part of said reduction gear means, and releasable crank meanspositioned on one of said shaft means.

6. The structure of claim 5 in which there is a bracket means secured inadjustable angular position to one end of said frame, said bracket meansproviding a bearing for said associated shaft means, said second sheaveand its associated shaft means being journalled for rotation in saidbracket bearing.

7. The structure of claim 5 in which said shaft means both extend fromsaid frame at substantially right angles to the axis of rotation of saidwinch drum at one side thereof and said frame providing mountingsurfaces substantially at the other side of said winch drum, and saidframe means being so configured that the top of said winch drum issubstantially unobstructed.

8. The structure of claim 5 in which said extending shaft means for saidsheaves are of substantially the same diameter.

9. A silo unloader winch assembly including a winch spool, a frame ofgenerally U-shaped configuration and providing a base portion extendingalong one side of the winch spool, the top, bottom and front of thewinch spool being substantially unobstructed, said frame having anarcuate cross-section throughout said base portion extending along oneside of said winch spool, said cross-section 11. A silo unloader winchassembly comprising, a frame, a winch spool having a shaft journalledfor rotation in said frame, said frame providing a bearing surface atone end thereof for reception of one end of said winch spool shaft and alubricant retaining housing at the other end thereof for receiving theother end of said winch spool shaft, a worm gear secured to said otherend of said winch spool shaft, a worm shaft journalled for rotation insaid housing having one end extending from said housing and a wormsecured to said worm shaft and engaging said worm gear, a first sheavemounted on said worm shaft, a bracket secured in adjustable angularposition to the end of said frame opposite said housing, an extendingshaft means journalled for rotation in said bracket, said shaftjournalled in said bracket being in parallel extension to said Wormshaft, a second sheave on said extending shaft journalled in saidbracket, and belt means interconnecting the two sheaves.

12. A silo unloader winch assembly comprising a frame means, a winchspool means secured to said frame means for rotation therein, a shaftmeans for actuating said winch spool means and having an end extendingfrom said frame means, a second shaft means spaced from said shaftmeans, rotatably secured to said frame means and extending in the samedirection therefrom, a first sheave of larger dimension secured to oneof said shafts for rotation therewith, a second sheave of smallerdimension secured to the other of said shafts for rotation therewith,belt means interconnecting the said two sheaves, and releasable crankmeans positioned on either of said shaft means selectively.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 732,377 6/1903Rowntree 254186 X 747,401 12/ 1903 Foltz. 1,150,351 8/1915 Elmore 2541501,353,238 9/1920 Holmes 254--186 1,380,779 6/1921 Craig 254145 1,806,4825/1931 Mellon. 1,825,359 9/1931 Manley 254145 2,546,863 3/1951 Moore254187 2,668,036 2/1954 Klemm. 2,727,604 12/ 1955 Robertson 254-186LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Examiner.

1. A SILO UNLOADER WINCH ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FRAME, A SPOOL ROTATABLEIN SAID FRAME, A FIRST SHEAVE, A SECOND SHEAVE OF SMALLER DIMENSION THANSAID FIRST SHEAVE, BELT MEANS CONNECTING SAID SHEAVES, EXTENDING SHAFTMEANS FOR EACH OF SAID SHEAVES, MEANS FOR OPERATIVELY INTERCONNECTINGONE OF SAID SHAFTS AND SAID SPOOL, AND RELEASABLE CRANK MEANS POSITIONEDON ONE OF SAID SHAFTS.